What is a Distrail?
A distrail is the clear path through a cloud formed in the wake of an aircraft. Distrails form because the aircraft turns the water droplets…
Tag: paths
Wayfinding with Weld – Reseda luteola
Weld (Reseda luteola) is a tall, hairless biennial plant found on dry ground. It grows up to 1.5m tall and has green-yellow flowers. It thrives…
Clover Clues
When looking at any grassy area, it is easy to see a uniform swathe of green. But if we stop and peer, we find that…
Sign of a Barefoot Runner
My thanks to Tim Crook for his very interesting emails and for permission to share here. Hi Tristan You suggested getting in touch if we…
The Meaning of Missing Moss
Moss is important in natural navigation, but not the quick easy method that many seem to think. I’ve written about the challenge of using moss…
Paths Are Stories
Study the picture above. Can you read the story? My thanks to Kate Shaw for sending me the photos above and below that help tell…
The Smile Path
There is some overlap between natural navigation and the art of tracking. If we can tell where people and animals have been and the choices…
Desire Paths
Footpaths are, to state the obvious, established routes for walkers between two points. But paths are born. First one, then two, then more people decide…
Common Centaury – Centaurium erythraea
Common Centaury – Centaurium erythraea – is a small pretty flower, with five pink petals and a yellow centre. It is found in fairly dry…
Nettle-Leaved Bellflower – Campanula trachelium
The Nettle-leaved bellflower, Campanula trachelium, is found in low-level calcareous woodland, flowering from June to September. It needs some disturbance to the soil to thrive.…
Pineappleweed, Matricaria discoidea
Pineappleweed – matricaria discoidea – is a sign someone has been there before you. It is a trampling-tolerant plant, commonly found on paths.
Shortcut Clues in the Clwydian Range
I had a bit of fun on a short walk in the beautiful Clwydian Range of hills recently, using a very simple technique that hovers…
The Different Life of Paths
Day in, day out, paths experience a different life to that of their verges. Very often there is undergrowth on each side of a path,…